A strong grip is good for more than a firm handshake; it develops size and strength in your forearms. In addition, a weak grip can limit other weight room endeavors -- the amount of weight you can safely dead lift, for example, is dictated by how many pounds your hands can hold.

Jeremy Frisch, a USA Weightlifting-certified coach and owner of Achieve Performance Training in Clinton, Mass. recommends two exercises to improve grip strength: 1) Pinch two or more five-pound plates together between the thumb and the fingers on one hand. Hold them at your side for 30 seconds. Rest and repeat. 2) Grab on to a pull-up bar. Either hold it slack so your arms are above your head or hoist yourself into the top of a chin-up position. Hold the position for 30 seconds, rest and repeat.